How to write a will

Types of gifts you may wish to include in your will

If you choose to name Asthma UK in your will the below may help you to decide what type of gift to leave.

A residuary gift

This is for a specific share, or all, of what’s left in an estate once the payment of any debts, liabilities and funeral expenses have been accounted for. A share of what’s left may be detailed as a percentage or fraction. For example 25% of the residue or a 1/4 of the residue.

A pecuniary gift

This is for any specified cash amount. There really is no minimum or maximum sum. For example, a pecuniary could be for £100, £1,000 or even £100,000. It is also a good idea to index link a pecuniary gift as it means the value will keep pace with inflation in the years ahead.

A specific gift

This refers to a named item that is left in an estate. For example, a piece of jewellery, a painting or even a comic collection.

Recommended wording for leaving a gift to Asthma UK

Once you’ve made a decision to name Asthma UK in your will you can ensure your gift reaches us by using the recommended wording below.

The wording applies to the three types of gifts most commonly found in a will.

If you’re planning to visit a solicitor you may find it helpful to print off this page as a reference.

A residuary

“I give ( ALL / FRACTION / % SHARE ) of the residue of my estate to Asthma UK, registered charity in England 802364 and in Scotland SC039322, of 18 Mansell Street, London, E1 8AA, to be used for its general charitable purposes and I direct that the receipt of the treasurer or duly authorised officer shall be a sufficient discharge to my executors.”

A pecuniary

“I give to Asthma UK, registered charity in England 802364 and in Scotland SC039322, of 18 Mansell Street, London, E1 8AA,the sum of £ (INSERT AMOUNT) to be used for its general charitable purposes and I direct that the receipt of the treasurer or duly authorised officer shall be a sufficient discharge to my executors.”

Index-linked pecuniary

We would appreciate it if you would consider index linking pecuniary gifts in order to maintain their value for the future. Below is the suggested wording for an index-linked pecuniary.

“I give to Asthma UK, registered charity in England 802364 and in Scotland SC039322, of 18 Mansell Street, London, E1 8AA,the sum of £ (INSERT AMOUNT) or such larger sum as my executors calculate to have the same value at my death as the figure specified at the date of this (INSERT either ‘Will’ or ‘Codicil date’), to be used for its general charitable purposes and I direct that the receipt of the treasurer or duly authorised officer shall be a sufficient discharge to my executors.”

A specific gift

“I give to Asthma UK, registered charity in England 802364 and in Scotland SC039322, of 18 Mansell Street, London, E1 8AA, (INSERT DETAILS OF THE SPECIFIC ITEMS) to be used for its general charitable purposes and I direct that the receipt of the treasurer or duly authorised officer shall be a sufficient discharge to my executors.”